News blog + Michael Jackson | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog+music/michaeljackson
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:01:29 GMT2015-03-03T20:01:29Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Guardian Daily podcast: Dirty hospitals told to improve or face closure; plus displaying the guillotinehttp://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/audio/2010/mar/17/guardian-daily-podcast-dirty-hospitals-israel-obama-michael-jackson
A quarter of health trusts fall foul of standards; Obama gets tough with Israel; Michael Jackson's record-breaking record deal; showing off the guillotine; preparations for Africa's first World Cup, and Sahil Saeed is released <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/audio/2010/mar/17/guardian-daily-podcast-dirty-hospitals-israel-obama-michael-jackson">Continue reading...</a>HealthNHSIsraelObama administrationPakistanMichael JacksonFranceSouth AfricaWorld Cup 2010UK newsWorld newsAfricaWorld CupWed, 17 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/audio/2010/mar/17/guardian-daily-podcast-dirty-hospitals-israel-obama-michael-jacksonDan Chung/GuardianPresented by Jon Dennis and produced be Ben Green and Tim Maby2010-03-17T07:00:00ZFans splash the cash for Michael Jackson memorabiliahttp://www.theguardian.com/music/blog/2009/nov/22/michael-jackson-auction-glove
Items belonging to King of Pop fetch prices far in excess of those predicted at New York auction<p>The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has turned out to be an auctioneers' dream celebrity as prices for Jacko memorabilia outstrip even those for items that belonged to Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/blog/2009/nov/22/michael-jackson-auction-glove">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonMusicUS newsWorld newsSun, 22 Nov 2009 13:22:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/blog/2009/nov/22/michael-jackson-auction-gloveKevin Mazur/APMichael Jackson rehearses at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Photograph: Kevin Mazur/APJenny Percival2009-11-22T13:22:45ZIs death just a chapter in the Michael Jackson story?http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/16/michael-jackson-death-soap-opera
It seems the singer's life is being examined closer than ever due to his passing<p>Three weeks after <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/25/michael-jackson-dies" title="his unexpected demise">his unexpected demise</a>, the flurry of stories emerging about <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/michaeljackson" title="Michael Jackson">Michael Jackson</a>'s life and death have grown into a bizarre soap opera, resembling a cross between Twin Peaks and Dynasty. The past 24 hours alone have seen claims that he was murdered and <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5833370/Ghostly-image-of-Michael-Jackson-appears-on-car-bonnet.html" title="appeared as a ghost on a car bonnet">appeared as a ghost on a car bonnet</a>, plus new tales emerging about the cause and extent of his drug addiction, and further speculation over the fate of his children. Even Jackie Collins or <a href="http://www.southparkstudios.com/guide/807/" title="Trey Parker and Matt Stone">Trey Parker and Matt Stone</a> would have trouble weaving together so seemingly improbable a narrative.</p><p>Perhaps the most dramatic new revelation is the release of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXGvew-Zrcs&amp;feature=player_embedded">never-before seen footage of Jackson's head catching on fire</a> during the filming of his Pepsi commercial on 27 January 1984. Photographs of the accident that left him with second and third degree burns to his face and scalp have been seen before. But the video, obtained by <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/" title="Us Weekly magazine">Us Weekly magazine</a>, shows the moment Jackson's hair caught fire and the severity of the burns he suffered.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/16/michael-jackson-death-soap-opera">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonUS newsWorld newsThu, 16 Jul 2009 12:12:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/16/michael-jackson-death-soap-operaDavid Batty2009-07-16T12:12:21ZMichael Jackson memorial reviewed: 'Weird, fun and sad'http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/08/michael-jackson-memorial-reviews
The mainstream media focused on the tears of Jackson's daughter. Others found the event an 'odd mess of a thing'<p>&quot;Michael Jackson's memorial, like his life, was <a href="http://jezebel.com/5309555/michael-jacksons-memorial-like-his-life-was-weird-fun-sad" title="weird, fun and sad">weird, fun and sad</a>,&quot; according to the celebrity blog Jezebel.</p><p>The mainstream media dwelled on the <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2522767/Paris-tells-Michael-Jackson-memorial-I-love-you-so-much-Daddy.html" title="tears of Jackson daughter Paris">tears of Jackson's daughter, Paris</a>. The LA Times, for example, said the service was the moment <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jackson-kids8-2009jul08,0,3565493.story" title="Jackson's children came out of the shadows">Jackson's children came out of the shadows</a>.</p><p>With all the mourning and music, celebrity performers and soaring speeches by African American leaders at Staples Center on Tuesday, it was easy to overlook a quieter spectacle. Michael Jackson's memorial served as a grand unveiling for the singer's children.</p><p>Fitting, then, for a life lived bizarrely and publicly, a life that needed a new word for famous, a life that, in many ways, really ended and disappeared many years ago. This whole event just felt perfunctory, as if no one could imagine MJ going out without a bang, but weren't really sure how to make the appropriate gesture.</p><p>Yet – disappointing cynics and reassuring fans of human decency – the tone was congruent with what you'd expect for the funeral of a church deacon in St Louis. It was perfectly sober, considering the supernormal circumstances.</p><p>Yes, this is a sad day but not because we are mourning the passage of the King of Pop. He's been long gone, really. The real pity is that today's spectacle demonstrates that a big segment of our society remains fully capable of deliberate blindness ...</p><p>Celebrating Jackson's gifts is fair enough. Making him into a saint, not so much. If romance is the willing suspension of disbelief, turning Michael Jackson into a deity is a willing suspension of belief in what we know to be true. And as a country, we can't afford to live in Neverland any more.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/08/michael-jackson-memorial-reviews">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonUS newsPop and rockWorld newsMusicWed, 08 Jul 2009 09:40:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/08/michael-jackson-memorial-reviewsMatthew Weaver2009-07-08T09:40:20ZLiveblogging Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial servicehttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson
Real-time dispatches from today's events in Los Angeles, including updates from inside the Staples Centre<p><strong>7.24am (10.24am eastern, 3.24pm UK time):</strong> The <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/crowds-form-at-staples-center-as-michael-jacksons-family-prepares-for-private-memorial.html">crowds are gathering</a> in downtown Los Angeles, and the Jackson family have left for the <a href="http://http://www.forestlawn.com/">Forest Lawn Cemetery</a> in the Hollywood Hills... so a little earlier than scheduled, let's begin today's live coverage of the most-hyped wake of the decade. Andrew Gumbel will be inside the Staples Centre later, where he'll be joined, we learn this morning, by <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/07/AR2009070701005.html?hpid=topnews">Michael Jackson's casket</a>. Your insightful comments, memories, observations and impeccably tasteful remarks are actively encouraged! The public service proper is scheduled to begin at <strong>10am PDT/6pm UK time</strong>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonMusicLos AngelesTue, 07 Jul 2009 14:24:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljacksonOliver Burkeman2009-07-07T14:24:16ZLiveblogging the Michael Jackson memorial service, later todayhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson-usa
Come back here for real time updates on a much-anticipated send-off for the King of Pop<p>Nobody knows exactly what to expect from today's private funeral and public memorial service for Michael Jackson. That includes the Los Angeles Police Department, who are bracing for a <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/lapd-faces-huge-logistical-challenges-during-michael-jackson-memorial.html">huge logistical challenge</a>: hundreds of thousands of the devoted and the curious are expected to descend on downtown LA, despite having been warned to stay away if they didn't nab a ticket in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/06/michael-jackson-ebay-memorial-tickets">yesterday's frenzy</a>. In death as in life, when Jackson's involved it's frequently impossible to figure out what the heck's going on, and at time of writing his funeral arrangements <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/06/michael-jackson-family-memorial-service">remain a mystery</a> —&nbsp; a mystery quite possibly involving a $25,000 gold-plated coffin. All we know for sure is that Jackson will be buried at a private ceremony this morning at <a href="http://www.forest-lawn.com/">Forest Lawn Cemetery</a> in the Hollywood Hills, whereupon the focus shifts to the 20,000-capacity <a href="http://www.staplescenter.com/">Staples Center</a>. Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Usher, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson are among the VIPs expected to &quot;participate&quot; there, although — can you spot a pattern emerging here? — we still don't know what that will entail. (Liz Taylor's <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/06/elizabeth-taylor-michael-jackson-memorial-twitter/">staying away</a>, though.) Under the circumstances, perhaps &quot;liveblogging&quot; is an unfortunate term, but whatever you call it, I'll be <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog">here</a> on Newsblog from around <strong>8am LA time, 4pm UK time</strong>, with the public service scheduled to begin at <strong>10am LA time, 6pm UK time</strong>. Please join me for live updates, including dispatches from our correspondent Andrew Gumbel, who'll be inside the Staples Center to watch what's pretty much guaranteed to be an extraordinary event, however it pans out.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson-usa">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonUS newsMusicTue, 07 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/07/michaeljackson-usaOliver Burkeman2009-07-07T07:00:00ZHave you heard the (fake) news?http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/01/hoax-celebrity-death-stories
Hoaxers spread tales of celebrity death and destruction<p>Given the massive coverage of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/michaeljackson" title="the unexpected demise of Michael Jackson">the unexpected demise of Michael Jackson</a> last week, it is perhaps not surprising that hoaxers are attempting to feed the public appetite for celebrity trauma with a slew of fake death stories.</p><p>First Jeff Goldblum fell off a cliff in New Zealand, then George Clooney was lost in a plane crash over the Rockies, Star Wars actress Natalie Portman suffered a fatal accident on the set of her latest film, both Harrison Ford and teen star <a href="http://miley.cyrus.mediafetcher.com/news/top_stories/actress_st_tropez.php" title="Miley Cyrus">Miley Cyrus</a> drowned when their yachts sank at sea, and 80s singer Rick Astley was found dead in his hotel room. The hoaxes soon spread to <a href="http://twitter.com/" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> where <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/dead-wrong-slaughter-of-the-celebrities-20090701-d4ji.html" title="hackers broke into accounts belonging to singers Britney Spears and P Diddy and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres">hackers broke into accounts belonging to singers Britney Spears and P Diddy and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/01/hoax-celebrity-death-stories">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonGeorge ClooneyHarrison FordBritney SpearsMargaret ThatcherStephen HawkingCelebrityLife and styleWed, 01 Jul 2009 14:30:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/jul/01/hoax-celebrity-death-storiesMark Blinch/ReutersA false rumour that actor Jeff Goldblum had died put the phrase 'jeff goldblum dead' in Google's top five most-searched trends. Photograph: Mark Blinch/ReutersDavid Batty2009-07-01T14:30:41Z'Your love dried my tears'http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/27/youdriedmyte
<p><img alt="Michael Jackson fans" src="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/images/fansblog.jpg" width="400" height="200" /><br /><span class="caption">Michael Jackson fans wait outside court in Santa Maria during the pop star's child molestation trial. Photograph: Dan Chung<br /></span></p><p><strong>Michael Jackson</strong> has been keeping a low profile since being cleared of child molestation charges at a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/0,15819,1428022,00.html">trial</a> in California earlier this month. </p><p></p><p>Without God, my children, my family and you, my fans, I could not have made it through. Your love, support and loyalty made it all possible. You were there when I really needed you. I will never forget you. Your ever-present love held me, dried my tears, and carried me through. I will treasure your devotion and support forever. You are my inspiration.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/27/youdriedmyte">Continue reading...</a>US newsWorld newsMichael JacksonMusicMon, 27 Jun 2005 13:31:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/27/youdriedmyteMark Oliver2005-06-27T13:31:15ZThe strange trial of Michael Jacksonhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/14/thestrangetri1
<p><span class="floatright"><img alt="Fan Andre White wears his car's number plate" src="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/mj.jpg" width="200" height="325" /><br /><span class="caption">Fan Andre White wears his car's number plate <br />outside the Santa Maria courtroom where<br />Michael Jackson was found not guilty <br />yesterday. Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty</span></span><br /><br />Courtesy of Dave Pell's <a href="http://www.davenetics.com/">Davenetics</a> come the words that illustrate more than any other the - let's be polite here - rather skewed worldview of the Michael Jackson fan.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/14/thestrangetri1">Continue reading...</a>US newsWorld newsMichael JacksonMusicTue, 14 Jun 2005 13:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/14/thestrangetri1Simon Jeffery2005-06-14T13:01:00ZOn the site todayhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/14/onthesitetod35
<p>Michael Jackson is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/story/0,15819,1506008,00.html">innocent</a>. We've got <a href="http://stream.guardian.co.uk:7080/ramgen/sys-audio/Guardian/audio/2005/06/14/140605glaister.ra">audio</a> from <strong>Dan Glaister</strong>, our reporter who covered the trial in Santa Maria, California; we'll be rounding up bloggers' reactions, we've a digest of what the UK's papers <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/story/0,15819,1506181,00.html">say</a>; and we're gathering photographs of fans celebrating outside the courthouse.</p><p>As I write, Tony Blair is speaking in Paris ahead of talks with Jacques Chirac. Earlier in Luxembourg he rejected a proposal by the EU presidency to freeze Britain's contentious budget rebate - <strong>Matthew Tempest</strong> reports <a href="http://politics.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,9061,1506172,00.html">here</a>. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/14/onthesitetod35">Continue reading...</a>Michael JacksonMusicTue, 14 Jun 2005 09:57:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/14/onthesitetod35Jon Dennis2005-06-14T09:57:07ZJacko: that TV coverage in fullhttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/13/jackothattvc
<p>Waiting for tonight's Michael Jackson verdict gave us the chance to indulge in some serious TV news geekery. So let's get the obvious, cliched response out of the way. This was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson#The_low-speed_chase">OJ chase</a> all over again tonight, not quite 11 years since the last one, but looking much the same as before. </p><p>All the channels cut to helicopter footage of Jackson's four vehicle SUV convoy slowly being waved out of his Neverland ranch by a long line of staff, and then watched as it made its way along the freeways to the courthouse in Santa Maria.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/13/jackothattvc">Continue reading...</a>US newsWorld newsMichael JacksonMusicMon, 13 Jun 2005 20:56:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/jun/13/jackothattvcNeil McIntosh2005-06-13T20:56:14ZOut of Order?http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/mar/03/outoforder
<p><img alt="The medal on Michael Jackson's jacket. Photograph: Getty Images" src="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/images/medal.jpg" width="102" height="102" border="0" style="float: right; margin: 5px 5px 5px 5px;" /><br /><span class="caption">The medal on Michael Jackson's jacket. Photograph: Getty Images</span><br /><br />The world's media is, of course, scrutinising the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/jackson/0,15819,1428022,00.html">Michael Jackson </a>child molestation case, and one very small detail has attracted particular attention in Austria.</p><p>Mr Jackson, who is on trial at Santa Maria court, California, for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old boy, has been wearing a dark suit to court, some days adorned with a striking, shiny medal on his chest. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/mar/03/outoforder">Continue reading...</a>UK newsMichael JacksonMusicThu, 03 Mar 2005 16:56:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2005/mar/03/outoforderMark Oliver2005-03-03T16:56:49Z